Oregon Public Broadcasting

The state says extended unemployment benefits have run out for thousands of Oregonians. KLCC's Angela Kellner reports.

Under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program, people out of work are eligible for up to 79 weeks of benefits.

Craig Spivey with the state's Employment Department says a large group of Oregonians used up their compensation as of September 5th.

Craig Spivey: "The initial wave of people who have run through their benefits is about 3000 Oregonians. And what we approximate is over the next several weeks, each week we'll see another 500 or so people drop from the unemployment rolls."

Spivey says help is on the way for those who are still out of work and actively seeking employment.

Beginning October 4th, the Oregon Emergency Benefits Program kicks in with an additional 13 weeks of checks.